Meeting the Governor

The rescue work at the Pipeline Defense Zone had nearly come to an end.

Ari glared at Devere.

"Logistics Department scum, don't think we'll thank you just because you helped save some people!"

"I don't need the gratitude of you Lower Hive rats."

Devere held himself with lofty arrogance. "Everything I do is for the Governor. One day, he will recognize my Loyalty and contributions!"

"Damn bastard, what are you so proud of?"

"We're heroes too. I heard the Governor gives heroes some kind of medal.

Maybe the ship coming to pick us up is already on the way!

We'll be going to the Spire to meet the old man soon. Go ahead and be jealous!" Ari cursed.

Devere looked as though he had heard a joke. "Ignorant Lower Hive trash!"

He stopped paying attention to Ari, turning away. He had no desire to look at that Lower Hive brute who resembled a Grox any longer.

An Assault Gunship flew over and landed not far from them, drawing everyone's attention.

A Spire Assault Gunship!

The hatch opened, and a Departmento Munitorum official, escorted by two guards, approached Ari and Kais.

The official wore a stern expression as he swept his gaze over them.

"Captain Ari, trainee strategist Kais, come with me to the Spire immediately. The Governor wishes to see you!"

What?

The moment those words were spoken, everyone present was stunned.

"God-Emperor, you're not lying to me, are you?"

Ari could hardly believe it. He had only been talking nonsense to provoke them before, yet the Governor really had summoned him!

The Departmento Munitorum official's tone brooked no doubt.

"The Governor is waiting for you. This is an order. Defiance is equivalent to treason!"

He made a welcoming gesture.

Once Ari realized it was true, he pulled a face at Devere.

"You bastard, jealous? I'm about to meet the Governor!"

Devere stood frozen in place, muttering, "How is that possible? Why would the Governor meet that Lower Hive rat...?"

Kais came to his senses and tugged Ari. "Come on, One-Eye!"

Soon after,

Ari and Kais followed the Departmento Munitorum official into the cabin.

The Assault Gunship took off and flew toward the Spire in the Palatine District.

Dust kicked up by the Assault Gunship splattered all over Devere.

His earlier arrogance was gone. His eyes remained fixed on the departing gunship.

He secretly resolved to work even harder to carry out the Governor's orders and show twice the Loyalty!

He had to fulfill his family's long-cherished wish as soon as possible and earn a formal audience with the Governor.

He could not lose to a Lower Hive rat!

Seated inside the gunship's cabin, Ari nudged Kais.

"Boyz, why do you think the Governor wants to see us? Could he really be giving us one of those medals?"

"Stop dreaming. That's impossible." Kais thought for a moment. "I guess the Governor wants to see us because of this mutant tide.

Do you remember that massive explosion earlier in the direction of the First Pipeline Front? The blast happened right at the command headquarters!"

"You think those damn bastards at headquarters got wiped out?" Ari rubbed his chin.

The Defense Force's regimental commanders and other senior officers were all from the Palatine District. They had never treated the Defense Force soldiers like people.

They often disregarded the soldiers' lives and devised brutal battle plans that resulted in grievous casualties.

"There's been no news from headquarters so far. We can't rule out the possibility that they were all wiped out."

"Hiss, this is a big deal!" Ari slapped his thigh, his face lighting up with delight.

When he noticed the Departmento Munitorum official's icy stare across from him, he quickly reined himself in.

The Assault Gunship landed on the landing pad of Spire Mansion.

The moment Ari and Kais stepped down, the sight before them left them stunned.

Spire Mansion had undergone thousands of years of renovation by Grant House.

Whether in luxury or artistic achievement, it had reached the pinnacle of Earth Planet!

It was a perfect blend of the Imperium's cold architectural art and Victorian flamboyance.

Neither of them had ever seen such awe-inspiring, magnificent architecture in their lives.

Though Ari did not understand art, anyone could feel the beauty it conveyed!

For a moment, Ari had no words to express the shock in his heart.

If some wandering poet had been standing here, he might have composed a hundred beautiful poems.

"It's damn beautiful!"

Ari exclaimed, taking a deep breath. "Even the air is sweet!"

He felt his whole body relax, as though he were floating, even becoming a little lightheaded.

Spire Mansion had its own protective shield, as well as air production and filtration systems, to guard against extreme circumstances.

Quite a few green plants were also cultivated in the Garden behind the mansion.

As a result, the air here was the freshest on all of Earth Planet.

Ari had always breathed murky air that had been filtered who knew how many times.

Now that he had suddenly inhaled pure air, such a reaction was normal.

Ari kept his single eye wide open, looking around wildly.

Before long, he spotted the hundred-meter-tall God-Emperor Statue.

"God-Emperor, is this thing really that huge?"

When he had seen it from afar before, he had not felt much.

Only after truly approaching the statue did he realize what an enormous object it was.

Kais narrowed his eyes. He saw something different.

"Someone's repairing the statue..."

He frowned, thinking about something, but the Departmento Munitorum official's cold voice quickly interrupted him.

"You may go in now!"

With that said,

the Departmento Munitorum official turned and entered the cabin. He did not have the opportunity to meet the Governor.

The Assault Gunship departed.

Ari and Kais were then led into Spire Mansion.

After undergoing layer upon layer of inspections, including body searches, washing to remove odors, disinfection, psychic testing, and other security measures,

Ari sniffed the fragrant scent on his body and nearly became intoxicated by it.

"Damn it, this stuff smells amazing!"

"When we meet the Governor, don't talk nonsense!"

Kais looked calm, but he was still somewhat nervous inside.

After all, they were about to meet the most noble figure on this planet. One could even say that he determined this planet's fate!

After all that trouble, the two of them finally received notice.

They could go meet the Governor now!

Inside the Governor's office.

Ron stretched lazily. He had just received a report that the people he had specifically requested would be arriving shortly.

He picked up the two documents on his desk again and read them.

They were Ari and Kais's files.

Undying Ari, Cunning Kais...

The more he read about their deeds, the more he felt they were protagonists.

They were far too similar to Old One-Eye and Little Kais!

Both were talents!

He nodded in satisfaction.

With Wolong and Fengchu both in my grasp, what is there left to fear in this Warhammer 40K?

Soon after,

Ari and Kais entered the Governor's office under the guidance of a maid.

"You're finally here. You've worked hard."

Ron looked at the two of them with a warm smile.

"Damn... cough, cough... Governor."

Seeing the young, noble Governor, who was frighteningly enthusiastic, Ari and Kais both panicked for a moment, unsure of what to do.

Kais controlled his faintly trembling hands and lowered his head in salute. "Governor, Kais offers you his most sincere greetings!"

Seeing this, Ari hurriedly copied him, stammering.

"Governor, I... I greet you too!"